Pumpkin Carving — Best Knives for a Pumpkin Carving Party!

I bet when most of us think about pumpkin carving, we tend to picture a big long kitchen knife. And we picture taking that long hefty knife and punching through the thick orange pumpkin shell and carving out a face. And that’s OK, but the fact of the matter is there are lots ways to do it. You can use awls, keyhole saws, and even melon ballers. But if you want to keep it simple—for example, if you’re planning a pumpkin carving party and want to give each guest their very own tool—how about supplying inexpensive paring knives?

They’re much more maneuverable than a chef knife or ilk

They’re safer, especially for kids. Not as much blade to get into trouble.

They’re not scary—won’t intimidate those who are not sure they want to carve in the first place.

Here are five bargain-price paring knives (or sets) that could work well for pumpkin carving. They’re compact and lightweight and some models are selling at highly reduced prices on the Sur La Table website.

My wife, Cathleen, ending up being the one to beta-test two of these knives . . . because you know what I realized halfway through this post? I don’t actually enjoy carving pumpkins. I like opening them up and I like scraping out the seeds and goosh. Fun! But when it comes to drawing on, and carving out, the jack-o’-lantern face, I tighten right up. I’m afraid I’ll mess up. Please, please don’t make me do that.

Anyway. . .she tested out the Kuhn Rikon and Victorinox on a small pumpkin. Pumpkin size is significant. Because, she said, while the Victorinox was nimble for a smaller pumpkin, she would be worried about it’s flimsiness on a larger pumpkin with thicker walls. She’d be afraid of snapping the blade. So stick with diminuative pumpkins with Victorinox, and you’ll do fine.

The Kuhn Rikon carved quite well and was much more solid. And because the blade is firmer and thicker than the Victorinox, she would have no qualms about using in on a larger pumpkin. Plus, carving a larger pumpkin would only make the Kuhn Rikon even easier to navigate than it already was.

So . . . for those of you who get a kick out of pumpkin carving and love hosting pumpkin carving parties, go to town with these paring knives! And let me know how they work for you. . . :)